Current water-wheel and means for transmitting power therefrom



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I. R. BEERY.

CURRENT WATER WHEEL AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING POWER THBREFROM.

No. 482,034. Patented Sept. 6, 1892.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. R. BEERY. cUEEENT WATER WHEEL AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING POWERTHERE-FROM.

No. 482,034. Patented Sept. 6, 1892.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC R. BEERY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

CURRENT WATER-WHEEL AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING POWER THEREFROM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 482,034, datedSeptember 6, 1892.

Application filed April 11, 1892.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ISAAC R. BEERY, of Minneapolis, in the county ofHennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements inCurrent VVater-Wheels and Means for Transmitting Power Therefrom, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to current water wheels adapted to be floated inthe stream and to be turned by the current, and to specially-devisedmeans for economically and efficiently transmitting power therefrom.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which,while of a cheaper construction than those heretofore devised, iscalculated to develop a greater power than the same.

To this end my invention consists in general in the constructions andcombinations hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in theclaim.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view showing anapparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial side view thereof.Fig. 3 shows an end elevation of my current-wheel and a modifiedpower-transmitting device in connection therewith. Fig. 4: is a detailside view of the power-transmitting mechanism shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa detail showing the manner of securing the wheel upon the shaft.

As shown in the drawings, 2 2 represent the small narrow flat-boatswhich I employ to support each one of my current-wheels. Each of theseflat-boats has its forward end made up of the forwardly -projecting anddownwardly-inclined prow 3, and the several floats are secured togetherby the transverse beams 5, one in front and one in the rear. A transverse shaft 7 extends between each two boats, the two shafts beingconnected by the separable coupling 8, adapted to adjust itself to anyalignment which the shafts may assume. These shafts are secured upon theupper edges of the side boards 9 of the boats by the removablebearing-boxes 10. The end of each wheel ismadeup of threesections11,12,and 13, the first two being cross-grained with respect to oneanother and the latter being composed of the sector-like pieces arrangedbetween the Serial No. 428,566. (No model.)

several curved wings or blades 14. In this manner I construct anexceedingly strong wheel not apt to be damaged by driftwood or otherobjects coming in contact therewith.

The wings or blades are made up, preferably, 1

of hewn lumber and have their inner edges 15 (shown in dotted lines inFig. 2) grooved into the main hub 16 of the wheel. This hub has anopening to admit the shaft 7, and the wheel is secured upon the shaft bythe separate plates or disks 17, one secured upon each end of thewheels. Each of these disks is secured upon the end of the wheel byscrews or bolts 18 and has a short hub or collar 19 secured upon theshaft by a set-screw, key, or pin 20. To the shore end of the shaft orthe series of shafts I secure the universal coupling 21, and from thiscoupling extends the rod 22 to the shore. At this point a seconduniversal coupling 23 is introduced between the tumblingrod 22 and thestationary shaft 21, upon which the power-transmitting gears, sprocket,or pulley are located. By this means it will be seen that any rise orfall of the currentwheel is accommodated and at the same time a completepower connection maintained between the wheels and the shore. The floatsare secured by the chains 26, having the diverging sections 27, passingto the pairs of floats, or a cable stretched between the shore or banksof the stream may be employed.

In place of the universal-joint and tumbling-rod connection I may employthe miter gear-shafts shown in Figs. 3 and A. As there shown, amiter-gear 28 is secured upon the end of the shaft 7 and meshes with agear 29, secured upon the vertical shaft 30, which in turn is fastenedin the bearings 31, provided upon the vertical part of the bracket 33.Upon the upper end of the shaft 30 is a third miter gear-wheel 34,meshing with the gearwheel 35 upon the horizontal shaft 36, secured inthe bearings 37 and having upon its other end a sprocket-wheel 38, fromwhence a link belt 39 extends to the shore. The bracket 33 is mountedupon the separate boat 39, secured to the float 2 and adapted to bearthe entire weight and strain of the miter-gear device.

My wheel is of such a diameter as to project below the bottoms of theboats, it being my object to obtain the full pressure of water and thebenefit of the under-currents.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent The combination of the boats 2 and the beams 5 and 6,extending between the same and rigidly connecting them with thetransverse shaft 7, extending between said boats, the Water-Wheelarranged upon said shaft, said water-Wheel being made up of the parts 1011, 12, and 13 and the curved blades 14, the

plates 17, arranged upon said ends and having hubs secured upon saidshaft, the universal joints 21 and 23, the rod 22, extending between thesame, and the powershaft arranged upon the shore in connection with thejoint 23, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of April,1892.

I. R. BEERY. WVitnesses:

O. G. I'IAVVLEY, F. S. LYON.

